We operate in a constantly connected and virtual world where politics, economics and business are intertwined like weather, the seasons and the climate. The old adage about the butterfly beating its wings causes a hurricane on the other side of the world applies here. But in reverse. Tectonic political motions can create microquakes across the globe that often fail to register on the Richter scale of mass media, yet have significant consequences for those directly affected.
The recent airstrikes by the U.S. that killed Iranian General, Qasem Soleimani on January 2nd, and the January 8th Iranian launched missiles that struck an Iraqi base where U.S. personnel are stationed, are such a case.
These macro events often herald the beginning of increased efforts by known threat actors and groups like APT33, APT34, APT35, and APT39 with ties to Iran that choose cyber targets of opportunity for economic gain or to cause chaos under the banner of righteous revenge. It’s less about their political agenda, like those that defaced multiple U.S. government sites, but rather about how hacks against banks, law firms, and hospitals negatively impact the business and harm their clients and patients.
Like a major earthquake, the following days bring aftershocks until the globe returns to an equilibrium. It’s a time for heightened vigilance. I urge you to read our latest security advisory which details these events and provides useful recommendations to weather any potential cyber aftershocks.
To learn how your organization can build cyber resilience and prevent business disruption with eSentire’s Next Level MDR, connect with an eSentire Security Specialist now.
GET STARTEDABOUT THE AUTHOR
eSentire
eSentire, Inc., the Authority in Managed Detection and Response (MDR), protects the critical data and applications of 2000+ organizations in 80+ countries, across 35 industries from known and unknown cyber threats by providing Exposure Management, Managed Detection and Response and Incident Response services designed to build an organization’s cyber resilience & prevent business disruption. Founded in 2001, eSentire protects the world’s most targeted organizations with 65% of its global base recognized as critical infrastructure, vital to economic health and stability. By combining open XDR platform technology, 24/7 threat hunting, and proven security operations leadership, eSentire's award-winning MDR services and team of experts help organizations anticipate, withstand and recover from cyberattacks. For more information, visit: www.esentire.com and follow @eSentire.